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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A 17-year old Santa Barbara girl was struck and killed while walking on the freeway yesterday morning. The girl, who has not been identified, was hit before 6:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near the Fairview Avenue on-ramp. She was rushed to Cottage Hospital, where she underwent surgery, but later died. There aren’t a lot details – but reports say the teen was suffering from mental illness and likely committed suicide. The investigation continues.
State Assembly Member Das Williams of Santa Barbara recently introduced a bill that would ban the sale of so-called energy sports drinks from middle and high school campuses throughout California. Sodas are banned at schools across the state and sports drinks are already forbidden at elementary schools. Williams noted that a 32-ounce sports drink contains 14 teaspoons of sugar and that research has shown that sports drinks have no added health benefit over drinking plain water after strenuous exercise. Williams said his bill is intended to help children and teens make better choices about what they put in their bodies.
The man who released the Pentagon Papers nearly 42 years ago will hold a press conference in Santa Barbara on Friday morning to talk about the scheduled test launch of a Minuteman III missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base this weekend. It’s expected that Daniel Ellsberg will discuss his plans to join a protest at Vandenberg in the hours before the launch Saturday morning. Ellsberg, who’s against the use of nuclear weapons--is in Santa Barbara to deliver the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s 11th Annual “Frank Kelly Lecture on Humanity’s Future” Thursday evening at 7 at the Lobero Theatre. The lecture is free and open to the public.
A number of environmental groups and community organizations met on the Ellwood Bluffs yesterday (Tues) to “wave goodbye” to the last oil barge to depart from the Ellwood Marine Terminal near UCSB. The terminal has been in near continuous use since it was built in 1929 to transport crude oil produced from onshore wells; in later years barges became the norm to haul oil from Platform Holly to refineries at San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles. The Environmental Defense Center and it clients, along with state and local agencies had been pushing Venoco—the owner of the Ellwood Field—to transport its oil by pipeline since 1997. Just last month Venoco completed work on its on-shore pipeline, greatly reducing the risk of an oil spill at sea. Oil from Platform Holly will still be processed at the Ellwood Onshore Facility, but instead of going from there to the marine terminal next to Devereux, the oil will be put into a pipeline and sent nine miles up the coast to the Plains Pipeline System for transport to various refineries.
Whether you call it East Goleta, “Noleta” or “kinda sorta Santa Barbara but not really,” the area that is technically the land west of Santa Barbara and east of Patterson Avenue is once again one of the main topics of discussion at the County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday. During Tuesday’s meeting, the controversial and complex Draft Goleta Valley Community Plan is beginning another long path toward environmental review. County Supervisors are moving forward with a study to see what developments should or should not go there. Residents attending yesterday’s meeting were very vocal about the area on various issues from over development of the area to agricultural land use, open space, and more. Four years ago, the board began the update of the 1993 Goleta Community Plan which affects some 36,000 residents. Eventually, the plan, if approved, will give the county policy and regulatory guidelines as it evaluates development projects in the next few decades for the area.
Residents who live near Salinas Street are calling for better safety in the area. Neighbors say crossing Salinas Street is like taking a leap of faith. Cars speed through to drop off kids at nearby Cleveland and Franklin Schools, while trucks rush to make deliveries to businesses in the area. Santa Barbara city and MTD officials took a walk with residents yesterday (Tuesday) morning to learn just how bad it is on Salinas. The walk was sponsored by the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation, and was part of its Safe Routes to School program. Tuesday's walk was just one of several the neighbors, COAST members and city officials have participated in to get a view of the safety problems in the neighborhood. The matter is expected to come up again at a joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 28.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A fight Saturday night in Isla Vista spreading over three blocks, sent at least three people to the hospital. The fight broke out in the street outside of a house party on Del Playa, just after midnight. Neighbors say it took place between a group of 10-15 people. A young man who tried to break it up, was slashed with a blade across the hand. He was taken to the hospital – and later released. The fight apparently moved to the next street, Sabado Tarde, where one person suffered a significant stab wound to the lower abdomen. Another person suffered severe head injuries – and loss conscience for some time. Sheriff's deputies, fire crews and paramedics responded and shut down both blocks. The victim with the most serious stab wound was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage hospital with critical injuries. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is still looking for suspects.
A Santa Barbara judge has ordered the Boy Scouts of America turn over confidential files in a sexual abuse lawsuit. A Santa Barbara attorney representing a local victim in a civil case says the records will detail allegations of sexual abuse by scout leaders across the nation. In 2007 a boy claimed he was molested by troop leader Al Stein in Goleta. Stein pleaded no contest in 2009 and served time in prison. The family accuses the Boy Scouts of trying to conceal the abuse and there may be more issues inside roughly 4,000 files that have been sought. The trial scheduled in this case has been delayed and the Boy Scouts are expected to appeal the local decision.
Santa Barbara Police patrol units are a step closer to having cameras installed. The department has been testing cameras for weeks now. Although some patrol cars have them, others that currently don’t, but should by the end of the year. Chief Cam Sanchez reports after checking equipment, images and costs from different companies, one will soon be selected. The camera choice and installation dates will be included in a monthly update on the department Sanchez gives once a month to the City Council – and that’s due in another few weeks.
In case you didn’t fill your gas tank over the past holiday weekend, you may be in for a bit of shock. Most, if not all, gas stations in and around Santa Barbara are reporting prices over $4 dollar a gallon. In some instances the price is well beyond that just for regular. Gas prices have shot up 16 cents over the past week, reportedly leaving the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas with the highest gas prices in the state. Analysts have been predicting that we could see $5 a gallon gas across the country, possibly before summer.
Work on the San Jose Creek Project starts today and will require lane closures on Highway 217 and South Kellogg Avenue. A traffic control will be in place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for clearing and grubbing operations. Highway 217 will be down to one lane between Hollister Avenue and one mile south of it. Next week, a traffic control will be installed on South Kellogg Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. South Kellogg Avenue will only be open for southbound traffic between Kellogg Way and Thornwood Drive. Northbound traffic will be detoured to Thornwood Drive to Pine Avenue and back onto Hollister Avenue.
According to a year-end crime report recently released by the Lompoc Police Department, rape and arson in Lompoc increased by nearly 27 and 63 percent, respectively, in the last year. The News Press says the number of reported rapes increased from 22 in 2010 to 28 in 2011. Lompoc Police Chief Timothy Dabney says the increase in the number of reported rapes may be attributed to the department's sexual-assault prevention programs and an increase in public awareness as more people are encouraged to report cases of sexual assault. In the meantime, cases of arson increased from 16 in 2010 to 26 in 2011 which is slightly under the 10-year high of 28 cases in 2003. Also, robberies decreased from 26 to 21 cases over the year, down nearly 50 percent from a 10-year high of 44 cases.
A Boston University hockey player from Southern California accused of rape is scheduled to face a judge. Max Nicastro, a junior from Thousand Oaks, is expected to be arraigned today in Brighton District Court. Campus Police Chief Thomas Robbins says the alleged sexual assault happened on campus. A female student made the accusation. Nicastro is the second BU hockey player accused of sexual assault this season.
Santa Barbara County officials will launch the reopening of the new road at the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park during a celebration tomorrow (Wed). The event starts at 10 a.m. The road has been closed for almost a year, after a series of heavy rainstorms ate away portions of the pavement, leaving residents of Guadalupe and Santa Maria without any local beach access.
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a 75-year old Isla Vista man who has been missing since Monday (February 13). James Otis Purcell was last seen around 10:30 Monday morning when he was driven from his senior living facility in IV to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for a scheduled doctor’s appointment. The driver, who had shuttled Purcell to the appointment, returned at 11:45 to pick him up and learned that he never showed. Purcell has several minor health issues and has trouble walking due to an ankle injury. Mr. Purcell is white, 6’2”, 280 lbs, with balding/gray hair, and blue eyes. He was last seen carrying a canvas bag and wearing a light shirt, pants, and sandals. If anyone has seen James Purcell they are urged to contact the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office at 681-4150.
Dr. Sally Kingston, Harding University Partnership School principal, has been selected to serve as Carpinteria Unified School District’s director of College-bound Programs. She will begin her new position in May. Dr. Kingston began working at Harding in 2005. Before that, she served as a teacher, administrator, and principal at several Santa Barbara area schools. Superintendent Dave Cash said, “I am sad to lose such a dedicated, hard-working principal from our district. She will be missed by us all.” Meanwhile, Former Peabody Charter School principal Pat Morales will serve as Harding’s interim principal until a new principal is selected.
The Goleta Union School District Board of Trustees is considering program cuts as it attempts to reduce spending by more than 3 million dollars over the next 3 years. Mid-year State trigger cuts combined with additional cuts to K-12 education built into the Governor’s proposed budget has sent trustees scrambling to reduce costs significantly.
All area schools and administration offices are closed today and Monday, a 4-day weekend, in honor of President’s Day – an observation of Washington and Lincoln's Birthday. Monday all federal, city and county offices will be closed. There will be no mail delivery and buses will run on a Sunday schedule.
While the price of first-class postal stamps went up a penny to 45 cents last month, the price of a six month post office box rental went up too. Some local customers are shocked by the price hike at the main post office in Santa Barbara where there are 3,500 P.O. Boxes. The average box, which has cost 22 dollars for six months, is going to 37 dollars, marking a 68 percent increase. A spokesman for the Postal Service says it is still the best deal around. Indeed, a local UPS store charges more than 130 dollars for six months. One customer says she is on a fixed income and may be giving up her PO Box after having it for 20 years.
A man who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the slaying of his mother, a Lompoc school teacher, had his case continued Thursday because a doctor needed a few more weeks to complete a final medical evaluation. 34-year old Christopher Shumey is accused of shooting Karen Shumey, of Nipomo, to death Sept. 17. He’s also entered a not guilty plea to assault with a firearm upon a police officer. Last month, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Michael Duffy ordered Shumey to be evaluated by medical professionals. In court yesterday, Duffy said he had received two completed reports from medical professionals but not a third. Prosecutor Karen Gray did not object. Shumey’s plea of insanity has a lot to do with what the medical reports reveal. If Shumey is found guilty with an insanity plea, he faces a life commitment in a state hospital for treatment, or other consequences. Shumey has told police detectives that he is bipolar. Karen Shumey taught eighth-grade U.S. History at Vandenberg Middle School, and had been with the Lompoc Unified School District for about 20 years.
A local woman is facing a year in county jail on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. Over 2 months ago authorities seized some 430 animals, mostly chickens, from a West Camino Cielo property in Santa Barbara. 55-year-old Sandra Coupal is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 29. During an investigation back on December 10, authorities seized hundreds of animals from Coupal’s property on the 6000 block of West Camino Cielo. The District Attorney's Office says the animals included turkeys, pigeons, quail, dogs, cats, a rabbit and an alpaca. Animal Control Officer Michael Pennon said the animals were living in unsanitary conditions. The Santa Barbara Humane Society is caring for the animals. If Coupal is acquitted of the allegations, the animals could be returned. If she is convicted, the Humane Society could attempt to adopt them out.
The Santa Maria Police Officer's Association has taken a "no-confidence" vote on Chief Danny Macagni. KSBY says the vote comes as an internal investigation continues into the Jan. 28 shooting death of Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr. The vote was taken at the police union's meeting Wednesday evening, and the results are expected to be available in eight days. Officer Covarrubias was under investigation for an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. During an attempted arrest, Covarrubias was killed by a gunshot from fellow Officer Matt Kline. Chief Macagni has defended the decision made by investigators to arrest Officer Covarrubias while he was on duty. The Chief said Covarrubias had threatened to kill himself if the allegations were made public. Macagni has also come under scrutiny for a Dec. 8 gang shooting that left two officers wounded and a convicted felon and alleged gang member dead. Both shootings are under investigation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.
The commission overseeing community and junior college accreditation found that Santa Barbara City College's board of trustees violated numerous accreditation standards. The News Press says the findings are detailed in a confidential report by the Accrediting Commission for Community Colleges and Junior Colleges, which visited the campus last fall to look into allegations of wrongdoing by administrators. The report, which was obtained by the News-Press from an anonymous source, states that the board "made many missteps" while attempting to decide on a process to evaluate the performance of former City College President Andreea Serban, whose contract was terminated by the board last July. City College acting President Jack Friedlander said that the report has not been finalized and contains various errors, which will be addressed in the college's response to the commission. Board President Peter Haslund said the leak "does no possible good" to the college or his fellow trustees. The commission is expected to render a final decision on the college's accreditation status after reviewing the college's response to its findings.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Four Ventura County residents have been arrested in connection with a recent string of at least 10 car burglaries in the Carpinteria area. Tuesday morning sheriff’s deputies found a vehicle believed to be associated with the crimes parked outside a motel on the 5500 block of Carpinteria Ave. It turns out the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Thousand Oaks. When deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants of the motel room, none of the four would come out. After a two hour standoff, deputies stormed the room and arrested the two men and two women and booked them into Santa Barbara County Jail. Deputies also found large amounts of stolen items inside the room and in the stolen vehicle. If you believe your car may have been a target of the burglars, you can contact the Carpinteria Sheriff’s substation at 684-5405.
The Eastside Library will now be open Monday afternoons from 1:30 to 5pm after the Santa Barbara Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the operating funds. The council had cut the hours as a cost saving move in 2010. Newest council member Cathy Murillo had pushed to bring back the Monday hours, citing the need to provide a safe space for children and noting the library has more computers than the Central Branch downtown. That branch is closed Mondays.
The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has finalized the 16-member search committee for the hiring of a new college president. Three of the volunteer members are from the community while the other 13 represent various constituent groups within the college. Dr. Dean Nevins and Dr. Ronald Gallo were named as co-chairs of the committee. The group will interview selected candidates in March and April and make its final recommendations to the Board by mid-April. The Board should announce its final candidate by mid-May.
Wednesday a meeting was held to discuss long-term plans for land use of the Gaviota Coast. Last night’s public meeting was the second of three hosted by the Santa Barbara County Long Range Planning Division. Several community members attended the meeting to give their input. For some time the 31,000-acre, undeveloped coast, set between Goleta and Point Conception, has been the center of controversy between those who want to preserve the land and those who want to develop it. The meeting yesterday will be the conclusion of discussions on in-land trails and the start of the review of recommendations for coastal access and trails. The next meeting is set for February 29th.
Santa Barbara County's 4th District Supervisor is seeking another four-year term on the board. Joni Gray handed in her official papers for re-election yesterday at the Veterans Memorial Building in Lompoc. Gray has faced criticism recently for her connections to the failed Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation, but she doesn't see that as a major obstacle to her re-election. Gray lives in Orcutt and has been working for the 4th District for 14 years. The district includes all of Lompoc and some of Orcutt.
Even though another weak storm left Santa Barbara county wet yesterday, the rain this winter has been so low that fire officials say unless the area gets a sustained rainfall in the next two months, we will be in for a dangerous summer. Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Michael Dyer says the dry winter could move fire season up to April or May this year. He says his department is ready if a wild land fire breaks out in what's normally considered the low fire season months.
Someone has yet to claim a winning MEGA Million ticket that was sold at a market in Lompoc. California Lottery officials say the ticket was sold at Carbaugh's Market in the 1000 block of N. A St. The ticket is worth over $227-thousand dollars. Another winning ticket with the same amount was sold at Greenleaf Tobacco in Redondo Beach, part of Los Angeles County. The tickets matched the numbers 3, 27, 5, 10 and 26, missing only the Mega number of 27. Lottery officials say since no one hit last night’s jackpot, Friday’s jackpot will be worth $61 million. Winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim prizes.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A bank was robbed in downtown Santa Barbara yesterday. It happened at the Bank of the West on the 1000 block of State Street around 9:45 Tuesday morning. Santa Barbara Police say the suspect entered the bank, walked right up to a teller and demanded money. The suspect then took off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police searched for the suspect, but came up empty handed. The suspect is described as a male in his 40’s or 50’s, wearing a ski mask, dark-colored shorts and a hoodie. He also had a dark messenger bag. Anyone with any information on the suspect’s whereabouts should contact the SB Police Department.
This week through February 18th, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is promoting Preteen Vaccine Week as a statewide effort to remind families about recommended and required immunizations for 11 and 12 year olds. For the 2012-13 school year and beyond, all incoming 7th graders must provide proof of having immunization against whooping cough (Tdap) before starting school. Public Health Officials say it’s not too early to protect your child against whooping cough. Deputy Health Officer Dr. Charity Thoman says “there is no grace period in the current law. All incoming 7th graders will need to meet the Tdap requirement before starting school. Students who have not met the requirement will be sent back home until they do.” For more information, visit www.ShotsforSchool.org or call the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Immunization Program at 346-8420.
A former Santa Barbara City College Vaquero football player and longtime supporter of the college’s Athletic Program, Tim Tremblay, will be the honoree of the 19th annual SBCC Golf Classic. The event will tee off on Monday, March 19 at La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara. The tournament is the biggest fundraiser of the year for SBCC Athletics and provides support for 400 student-athletes and cheerleaders. Tim Tremblay played football for Bishop Diego High School, and was an All-Western State Conference player at SBCC in 1971-1972. He is the owner of Tremblay Financial Services in Santa Barbara. The 18-hole Golf Classic is a four-person scramble with awards in three flights. There are multiple contests, special gifts and prizes. There also will be a silent auction and raffle. For more information about the March 19 tournament, call the SBCC Golf Classic Hotline at 730-4076.
A local woman is injured in a rollover accident in Goleta yesterday. The incident happened around 12:30 Tuesday on the northbound 101 at the Fairview onramp. Santa Barbara County Fire responded to the accident. They were assisted by the CHP, the County Sheriff’s Department and American Medical Response. Emergency crews treated the female driver on scene for minor injuries, and transported her to the hospital by ambulance. Firefighters remained on scene to secure the vehicle. Traffic slowed in the area, but all lanes of the 101 remained open. The Fairview onramp was closed for a short time. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the CHP.
Santa Barbara County has decided against a plan to ask voters if we want to tax oil produced locally. Some cities have a 60 cent per barrel tax that helps their overall annual funding. Santa Barbara looked at a tax in the same range and found it could bring up to 3 and a half million dollars a year, but after a lengthy hearing, there wasn’t enough support for the proposal or to put it on the ballot. One Supervisor said if it passed it would cost jobs and drive some on-shore oil companies out of the county.
There isn’t enough money to fund all of the services at the Santa Barbara County Fire department. A recent study quotes the cost of maintaining services as $1.8 million dollars more this year, over last…and in about 4 or 5 years, that revenue gap is going to jump to about $15 million. To avoid layoffs or station closures, more funds have to be allocated from the general budget plan or a new funding source has to be found. Over the next couple of months, the county fire chief and the county's staff are both going to look for new ways to fund the department. For the time being, no new taxes have been proposed.
Yesterday, Republican State Senator Tony Strickland sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, asking the Governor to authorize the creation of an unpaid, volunteer task force aimed at ensuring California’s military bases remain intact. Sen. Strickland said “With Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County employing thousands of people in my district, it’s of the utmost importance to me that these bases are kept open should the U.S. Department of Defense go forward with a new round of base closures.” Strickland added that similar task forces have been authorized by Governors in the past. He hopes the Governor will work with him on this issue.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
Republican and former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria yesterday (Mon) officially announced his intent to run for the 24th Congressional District Seat currently held by longtime Democratic Congresswoman Lois Capps. Last week, Chris Mitchum--the son of the late actor Robert Mitchum—also announced as a Republican candidate for the 24th Congressional District seat. All the Congressional candidates, including incumbent Capps, will appear on the California open primary ballot in June with the two top vote getters facing off in the general election in November.
After just a little over 20 years in business--first in Victoria Court and later at 921State Street--the owners of Paper Star have decided to close the unique card and gift shop. Frank and Diane Leone will be closing the doors of the business over the coming weeks. Frank Leone says there are a number of reasons contributing to the closure: declining revenues in recent years, changing demographics along State Street, a failure to adapt quickly enough to the online revolution and the inflexibility of property owners.
The Santa Barbara City Council today (Tues) will take up a proposal to place a temporary ban on residential developments near the 101 freeway. The ban was included in the city’s recently adopted general plan update and prohibits new developments of lots within 250 feet of the highway. The city’s planning department says that minor additions or remodels of existing homes are excluded from the ban. Any projects that were submitted before December 1st 2011, the date that Plan Santa Barbara was approved—are also OK to proceed. The council is also expected to move ahead with a proposal to restore the Monday hours of the Eastside Library, which has been closed on the first day of the week for nearly two years as part of the funding reductions by the city.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will start to tackle a $15-million dollar deficit at its weekly meeting today (Tues). First District Supervisor Salud Cabajal said late last week that it is a much more doable situation now than when the board was faced with a $72-million dollar deficit a year ago.
Officials of Cottage Hospital had promised that patients and staff would begin moving into the new buildings this week just in time for Valentine’s Day. On Sunday, they made good on the promise. Over 100 patients were moved within five hours in a smooth operation only slightly interrupted by a false fire alarm and a few moments of confusion about just where to go in the new quarters. All the rooms in the new state-of-the-art facility are private; many can accommodate families and visiting hours that will stretch to 24/7. It took only about three minutes for critical care patients to be moved from the old to the new building. The rest were moved at a more leisurely pace. Before the day was over, babies were being born in the new Birth Center and emergency surgeries were being done in the new operating rooms. It will take a few more months for everything to be moved to the new buildings.
During the months of February, March, and April, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will host the Fire Safety Trailer Program. The goal of the program is to teach 3rd grade students in the County important fire and life safety lessons. County Fire launched this unique program using a travel trailer specially designed as a kid sized home complete with a kitchen, living room and bedroom. The Fire Safety Trailer is taken to each elementary school in Santa Barbara County and set up for a 50 minute fire and life safety program. The Fire Safety Trailer is one of the most valuable tools firefighters have for teaching public fire safety education. Each year, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department reaches about 2000 third grade students with lessons from the Fire Safety Trailer.
Last night’s Carpinteria City Council meeting got a little heated as council members heard from the public regarding the future of City Councilman Joe Armendariz. The Council voted 3 to 1 Monday night to censure Armendariz. Armendariz was arrested back in December after a DUI related crash. His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, and this was his second arrest in five years for suspicion of DUI. Armendariz did not attend the meeting last night saying he believes his colleagues should make the decision to censure him without his participation. The Council doesn't have the authority to remove Armendariz. However, he has been removed from all committees and boards. He cannot drive any city vehicles, and when attending city functions, will not be representing the council. Armendariz will finish out the remainder of his term, and does not plan to run for re-election in November.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado has formally begun the process to be an official candidate for Congress. Earlier today (Monday) Maldonado pulled the required papers at the Santa Barbara County Elections Office that are needed to run as a candidate. Shortly after, he held a press conference announcing his official candidacy at the Santa Barbara Ramada Hotel. Just last week Republican Tom Watson announced that he was stepping out of the race saying the rigors of campaigning would take a toll on his family and his business. Maldonado will go up against actor Chris Mitchum in the upcoming June primary. The winner of that race will then face Representative Lois Capps in the general election in November.
Tonight the Carpinteria City Council will discuss the future of fellow Councilman Joe Armendariz. In January, the council tabled its discussion about Armendariz and his DUI arrest in December because there was a shortage of council members in attendance. Now, the issue is back before the Council. According to the Carpinteria City Manager and City Attorney, the council has no ability to pull a sitting member from his elected position. The only power the Council does have is to verbally and formally reprimand the councilman; ask him to resign from the council; call off his committee assignments; or limit his council-related activities. According to a city staff report, if the council decides to remove Armendariz from any of his assignments, Mayor Al Clark would fill his place temporarily. Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers on Carpinteria Ave.
Tomorrow the Santa Barbara City Council will begin the implementation of Plan Santa Barbara. At the same time, the council will consider a proposal that would place a temporary ban on residential developments near the 101freeway. The ban would prohibit new developments on lots within 250 feet of the freeway. Officials say the goal is to protect residents from the health hazards of diesel exhaust. City Planner Bettie Weiss said minor additions or remodels of existing homes and projects that submitted a development application before Dec. 1 are excluded from the ban. The policy is based on a recommendation by the California Air Resources Board. Once approved by the council, the ban will be in effect until the Air Resources Board implements new regulations or the city determines that diesel emission risks can be reduced significantly.
Santa Barbara Police are looking for the suspects that are responsible for a car theft and possible arson. The car was stolen sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning outside a home on Terrace Road, on the Mesa in Santa Barbara. Some hours later, fire officials found the car a few miles away and fully engulfed in flames. Just after 11 o'clock Sunday morning, Fire fighters were called to a creek bed near Cathedral Oaks in Goleta, and what they thought was a brush fire. However, they found the car on fire instead. The Santa Barbara County Fire Arson Investigation team is hoping to find clues in the burnt remains of the car that will help them solve the crime. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the persons responsible. If you have any information, you can call Crime Stoppers at (877) 800-9100.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is reviewing an independent audit on the county's fire department. The in-depth study found the services provided by the department are excellent. However, the picture wasn't great when it comes to finances. The study quotes the cost of maintaining services as $1.8 million dollars more this year, over last…and in about four years or five years, that revenue gap is going to jump to about $15 million. The Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, February 14th and will begin discussions on how to bridge the shortfall.